Systems and methods for virtualizing functions and decentralizing service delivery in a flat network of interconnected personal devices

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods are described herein to virtualize functions and decentralize services in a flat-graph network of client devices. Other embodiments include apparatus and systems of devices comprising virtual node modules to perform a variety of service functions. Further embodiments include methods for overlaying service functions on a flat-graph network of client devices.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.11/027,493, filed Dec. 30, 2004, which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Various embodiments described herein relate generally to networkeddevices and more particularly to improved systems and methods ofenhanced service delivery amongst the networked devices.

BACKGROUND

Information technology has evolved from a highly centralized andprovider-driven model towards a more decentralized model, which promotesuser empowerment, innovation and personalization. The telecommunicationsindustry makes use of a very hierarchical model of device networking,which governs positioning and roles for the entire system, roughly theanalogue of centralized mainframe computing before the advent of themicrocomputer. In such a system the end-user sitting at the edge of thisnetwork has little or no influence or control on how services theyrequire are delivered to them.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, like numeralsdescribe substantially similar components throughout the several views.Like numerals having different letter suffixes represent differentinstances of substantially similar components. The drawings illustrategenerally, by way of example, but not by way of limitation, variousembodiments discussed in the present document.

FIG. 1 is a network of interconnected devices according to embodimentsof the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a network of interconnected devices according to embodimentsof the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a high level block diagram of a device, such as the device inFIG. 2, according to embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a high level block diagram of a system of devices, such asdepicted in FIG. 3, according to embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 5A is a high level diagram of a network of devices according toembodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 5B is a high level diagram of a network of devices according toembodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 5C is a high level diagram of a network of devices according toembodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 5D is a high level diagram of a network of devices according toembodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 6A is flowchart of a method that could be carried out on a device,such as the device in FIG. 3, according to embodiments of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 6B is flowchart of a method that could be carried out on a device,such as the device in FIG. 3, according to embodiments of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention,reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof,and in which is shown by way of illustration specific preferredembodiments in which the subject matter may be practiced. Theseembodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilledin the art to practice them, and it is to be understood that otherembodiments may be utilized and that logical, mechanical, and electricalchanges may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of thepresent disclosure. Such embodiments of the inventive subject matter maybe referred to, individually and/or collectively, herein by the term“invention” merely for convenience and without intending to voluntarilylimit the scope of this application to any single invention or inventiveconcept if more than one is in fact disclosed. The following detaileddescription is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and thescope of the present disclosure is defined only by the appended claims.Reference is made in the detailed description to communications layers.It is to be understood that such layers refer to the layers of the OpenSystem Interconnection (OSI) model.

The “physical layer” or layer 1 refers to any system for thetransmission and reception of bits from one device to another whichregulates the transmission over a physical medium, such as a wirelesscommunications link.

The “data link layer” or layer 2 packages raw bits from the physicallayer into logical, structured data packets.

The “network layer” or layer 3 determines the route from the source tothe destination device and manages operations such as switching, routingand controlling packet congestion.

The “transport layer” or layer 4 allows for reliable end to end deliveryof data and receives packets from and sends packets to the network layeras well as sending receipt acknowledgments.

The “session layer” or layer 5 establishes, maintains and ends sessionsacross the network. The session layer is responsible for namerecognition (identification) so only the designated parties canparticipate in the session.

The “presentation layer” or layer 6 translates from application tonetwork format and vice-versa. The presentation layer is responsible forprotocol conversion, character conversion, data encryption/decryption,expanding graphics commands, data compression and provides seamlesscommunication from multiple protocol stacks.

The “application layer” or layer 7 is used for applications specificallywritten to run over the network, and allows for access to networkservices that support applications. The application layer directlyrepresents the services that directly support user applications.

Typically, information travels down the layer model, e.g. from thetransport to the network, from the network to the data link, and fromdata link to the physical and is then transmitted over the medium tosome device which receives at the “physical layer”, and then sends theinformation up the layer model to the data link, the network, and to thetransport layers, in that order. It will be appreciated by those skilledin the art that some network implementations may omit some of the layersof the OSI model or combine them in operation.

FIG. 1 is a network of devices according to embodiments of the presentinvention. In an embodiment, a plurality of client devices 105 areinterconnected through a traditional hierarchical organization ofnetwork resources. In such an arrangement, the network 110 is thecommunications mesh between the client devices 105. In an embodiment,the client devices 105 are configured to exchange wireless signals withthe network 110 through some communications network. Examples ofcommunications networks include, without limitation: 802.11x networks(where x is any alphanumeric character used to designate a specificstandard) 122, IEEE std. 802.11-1999, published 1999 and later versions(hereinafter IEEE 802.11 standard); 802.16x networks 124, IEEE 802.16standard signals, IEEE std. 802.16-2001, published 2001 and laterversions (hereinafter IEEE 802.16 standard); Global System for MobileCommunications (GSM)/General Packet Radio Services (GPRS) networks 126;Digital Subscriber Line (xDSL) networks 128, information regarding DSLstandards can currently be found at the DSL forum website, currentlyaccessible at http://www.dslforum.org; and public switched telephonenetworks (PSTN) 130. Additional wireless communication protocols may beused without departing from the scope of the present application. In afurther embodiment, client devices 105 may be configured to exchangewireline signals with the network 110. In a traditional arrangement,client devices 105 connected to the network through separatecommunication networks have to pass all their communications throughthat network. Stated differently, each communication must pass down thehierarchy depicted in FIG. 1 and then pass up the hierarchy to theintended device. This is without regard to the physical proximity ofdevices.

For the purposes of the present application, reference will be made totwo users who are sitting adjacent to each other in a coffee shop. Thefirst user, John, is using his laptop 105 j which is connected to thenetwork 110 via the 802.11x communications network 122. The second user,Tom, is using his laptop 105 t which is connected to the network 110 viathe 802.16x communications network 124. Tom desires to send a picture toJohn of the Golden Gate Bridge. Tom's picture must pass down thehierarchy to the network 110 and then be passed up the hierarchy so thatit can be sent to John, because in this example they are using differentcommunication networks. This is without regard to the physical proximityof John and Tom. Additionally, if John's laptop 105 j has the capabilityto connect to the network using a variety of networks, i.e. 802.11x,GSM/GPRS, or wireline, each of these connection methods need to beseparately configured to provide to John, the end-user, a comprehensiveand satisfying end-user experience.

FIG. 2 is a network of interconnected devices according to embodimentsof the present invention. In an embodiment, client devices 105 areconfigured to connect to the network 110. In another embodiment, theclient devices 105 are configured to additionally connect to otherclient devices 105. In such an arrangement, if the client devices 105are proximate to each other, signals sent from one to the other can bepassed directly without the interposition of the network 110. In oneembodiment, such an interconnection of devices is a network withoutstructure. In another embodiment, such an interconnection of devices isa flat-graph network. Mention of terms to identify such aninterconnection of devices is not meant to be limiting in any manner andany interconnection of devices without the structure or interposition ofa traditional network hierarchy is considered to be within the meaningof the terms specifically mentioned. In one embodiment, the flat-graphnetwork includes a homogeneous flat-graph network of devices configuredto support the same communications protocol. In another embodiment, theflat-graph network includes a heterogeneous flat-graph network ofdevices configured to support differing communications protocol, thedevices further configured to exchange signals using any suitablecommunications protocol available.

At least one of the client devices 105 depicted in FIG. 2 are configuredto not only send and receive signals from the network, but may beconfigured also to send and receive signals to neighboring clientdevices 105. In an embodiment, the signals include network servicesignals. In an embodiment, the client device 105 is configured to sendand receive at least two communications signals of differing types. Inanother embodiment, the two communications signals are substantiallysimilar. In yet another embodiment, the two communications signals areof any suitable wireless communications protocol. In some examples, aclient device 105 may have a wireline connection with the network andfurther wireless connections with other client devices 105.

While referring to FIG. 2, the present discussion can now return to theexample of John and Tom in the coffee shop described above. With John'slaptop 105 j and Tom's laptop 105 t deployed on a flat-graph network ofdevices, their ability to connect is dependent on their physicalproximity. As discussed above, the client devices 105 are configured tosimultaneously support multiple communication networks. If John's laptop105 j was configured to support both 802.11x and 802.16x, communicationsbetween John and Tom can be achieved without the interposition of atraditional network. In this example, the communications between thedevices 105 j and 105 t would use an 802.16x signal. Use of such agileand re-configurable client devices 105 empowers the end-user and allowsthe end-user to operate without the structure of a network interposedbetween them and the resources they are using. Resources may include,without limitation, computing, communications or storage.

FIG. 3 is a high level block diagram of a device, such as depicted inFIG. 2, according to embodiments of the present invention. In anembodiment, the device is a client device 105 such as that describedabove with respect to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. In an embodiment, the clientdevice 105 comprises a host device 310 and a virtual node 315. In afurther embodiment, the virtual node 315 is operably coupled to anantenna 317. The antenna 317 may include one or more of a patch,omnidirectional, beam, monopole, dipole, and rhombic antenna, amongothers. Though the antenna 317 depicted as external to the client device105 it will be appreciated that the antenna 317 may be integral to theclient device 105 and such depiction is not to be taken in any limitingway.

In an embodiment, the host device 315 is configured to execute softwareapplications, such as an operating system and user applications. In anembodiment, the operating system and the user applications includeapplications that perform some network operations. Examples of suchapplications are many and are well known to those skilled in the art.Any application that causes some network signal to be sent is consideredto be within the scope of the present discussion.

In an embodiment, the virtual node 315 is further comprised of acomputing node module 320, communications node module 322 and storagenode module 324. Though depicted in the singular, each of the nodes ofthe virtual node 315 may be further expanded to include multiples suchthat the virtual node 315 may contain more then one computing nodemodule 320 for example. Traditionally each client device 105 wasconfigured with a one-to-one mapping of their specific function in thenetwork. For example, a traditional end node client device 105, such asin FIG. 1, is configured to support the sending and receiving of networksignals. Such a client device 105 has a one-to-one mapping of itsfunction, the sending and receiving of network signals, and is notconfigured to support other communications capabilities. The end node isjust that, a node at the end of the network 110. The virtual node 315described here removes the need for such one-to-one mapping. Each clientdevice 105 can be one of a number of devices on the network. Forexample, the communications node module 322 can be configured tovirtually provide services that are typically associated with networkrouters and switches.

With respect to FIG. 3, the example of John's laptop 105 j may be usedagain as a specific example. As discussed above with respect to thediscussion of FIG. 2, John's laptop 105 j is configured to not onlysupport 802.11x, but also 802.16x. Additionally, John's laptop 105 j hascontained within it a virtual node as described above. The deployment ofa communications node module within the virtual node of John's laptop105 j provides that device the ability to not only send and receivenetwork signals addressed to itself, but to receive network signalsaddressed to other devices and forward them appropriately. John's laptop105 j is no longer an end node, but a full fledged network nodesupporting the deconstruction of traditional hierarchical networkarrangements and allowing for user to user communications without theinterposition of traditional network arrangements.

In a further embodiment, the modules of the virtual node 315 provide theclient device 105 the ability to divide tasks amongst multiple deviceson the network. For example, the computing node module 320 may requestcomputing services from neighboring client devices 105 in order torender a frame of video. The computing node module 320 can divide up thetask and distribute it on an ad hoc basis without any pre-formedstructure, making use of the client devices 105 that it finds accessiblewhen it needs such processing performed. Additionally, the computingnode module 320 can receive such service requests from other clientdevices 105 and perform those services, as well as forward such servicerequests to other client devices 105. In another example, the storagenode module 324 may request or provide distributed storage services toaccessible client devices 105. In an embodiment, the modules of thevirtual node 315 may be implemented wholly in hardware, wholly insoftware, or in some mix of hardware and software.

FIG. 4 is a high level block diagram of a system of devices, such asdepicted in FIG. 3, according to embodiments of the present invention.In an embodiment, FIG. 4 represents a flat-graph network of devices,such as client devices 105 discussed above. Each of the client devices105 is configured to communicate with accessible client devices 105 aswell as the network 110. Each of the client devices 105 is configured toinclude a virtual node 315 as described above. Through the use of thevirtual node 315, each of the client devices 105 is capable of providingdistributed computing, communications and storage services throughoutthe flat-graph network.

Returning to the example of John and Tom in the coffee shop whilereferring to FIG. 4, John's laptop 105 j is performing a complicatedprocessing function. The host device 310 j might be overloaded with thisfunction and requests services from the computing node module of thevirtual node 315 j. The computing node module accesses the services ofthe accessible client devices, of which Tom's laptop 105 t is one. Thevirtual node 315 t of Tom's laptop assists with computing resources andresponds to John's laptop with whatever results were required. There aremany examples of distributed, or grid computing, known, such asSETI@home. Information regarding the SETI@home project can currently befound on the SETI@home website currently accessible athttp://setiathome.ssl.berkeley.edu/. However, such distributed computingapplications require the interposition of a structured network betweendevices over which the application is distributed. In the example shownabove, the request for services and response are sent and receivedwithout such a structured network. The use of a virtualized node inclient devices 105 empowers the end user and enables their devices tooperate more efficiently.

FIG. 5A is a high level diagram of a network of devices according toembodiments of the present invention. In an embodiment, overlays providean organized and layered architecture to support the provisioning andmanagement of services over a flat-graph network. FIG. 5A depicts suchan arrangement. The network 500 in FIG. 5A shows the computational modelfor the programming of networking and computing services over aflat-graph network. In such an arrangement, the service architecture hassome structure and organization in a way roughly similar to the way thatprocesses are spawned or inherited in an operating system (for example,the parent-child relationship of a process to other processes that itspawns). In the case of overlays, however, the organized structure usedto deliver infrastructure, network content or applications services isnecessary. With respect to an individual device, the overlay provides amechanism to partition or slice the entirety of the device'scapabilities, including, without limitation, computing, communications,and storage. For example, the overlay provides a mechanism to partitiona portion of the communications capabilities to support ongoingcommunications in support of a particular overlay service. In anotherexample, overlays serve as a programmability model for internet servicesand as a provisioning model for internet resources.

FIG. 5B is a high level diagram of a network of devices according toembodiments of the present invention. The network 510 in FIG. 5B depictsoverlay formations employed to support management/autonomic services ina flat-graph network. In addition the overlays can also support manydifferent classes of distributed communications, computing or storageservice functions or signaling.

FIG. 5C is a high level diagram of a network of devices according toembodiments of the present invention. The network 520 in FIG. 5C depictsoverlay formations employed to support collaborative peer-to-peerservices in a flat-graph network.

FIG. 5D is a high level diagram of a network of devices according toembodiments of the present invention. The network 530 in FIG. 5D depictsoverlay formations employed to support enhanced network services, suchas Quality of Service (QOS) in a flat-graph network

In an embodiment, the modules of the virtual node 315 in the clientdevice 105 discussed above with respect to FIG. 4 are configured tooverlay their service functions on the network to which the clientdevice 105 is communicating. In an embodiment, the service functions areoverlayed on the network through the operations of the modules of thevirtual node 310. The network may include, without limitation, atraditional hierarchical network of devices, or a flat-graph network ofdevices. Each of the service functions the modules support would beoverlayed individually onto the network. Returning to the example ofJohn's processing task, the processing services required by thecomputing node module of John's laptop 105 j would be overlayed onto theflat-graph network of FIG. 2. The computing node module of the virtualnode module 315 j is configured to provision and deploy those servicefunctions onto the network. Through such operations, the task isdistributed to the client devices accessible on the flat-graph network.

FIG. 6A is flowchart of a method that could be carried out on a device,such as the depicted in FIG. 3, according to embodiments of the presentinvention. In an embodiment, FIG. 6A depicts a method of overlaying aservice request onto a communications network. At block 610 a requestfor services is received from an application at a communications layerat or above the current layer. In an embodiment, the current layer is ator above the network layer, or layer 3. In an embodiment, the currentlayer is the layer at which the virtual node module 315 of the clientdevice 105 is operating. In an embodiment, the virtual node module 315is configured to encapsulate the received request for services in acommunications signal that is constructed to be sent using the currentlayer at block 620. At block 630 the encapsulated signal is transmittedusing the current layer to a network of devices. In an embodiment, thesignal is transmitted to a flat-graph network of devices configuredsimilarly to the device described above with respect to FIG. 3. ThoughFIG. 6A represents a single communications request, it will beunderstood to those skilled in the art that this may represent a streamof signals constituting a single conversation between devices.

FIG. 6B is flowchart of a method that could be carried out on a device,such as the depicted in FIG. 3, according to embodiments of the presentinvention. At block 640 the virtual node 315 provisions a request forservices from a communications layer at or above the current layer. Inan embodiment, the current layer is at or above the network layer, orlayer 3. The virtual node module 315, at block 350 encapsulates theprovisioned request for services in a communications signal that isconstructed to be deployed using the current layer. At block 660, thevirtual node 315 deploys the provisioned request. In an embodiment,deploying includes allocating, or partitioning, a portion of thecommunications channel for the provisioned request. Through such anexample, a hard or soft overlay can be deployed over a network ofdevices to support services that are more durable. At block 670 thecommunications signal is transmitted to the network. In an embodiment,the network is a network of devices, with at least one of the devicesconfigured similarly to the client device 105 described above withrespect to FIG. 3.

The use of overlays on a flat-graph network provides a means to manageand distribute the complexity inherent in flat-graph networks. Overlaysprovide this means by partitioning the provisioning and managing of thedistributed resources and services. Overlays further provide means toreduce state in such an arrangement. Overlays can support multipleservices, including, without limitation, computing overlays,communications overlays and data storage overlays. In an embodiment,overlay provisioning and overlay management are roughly analogous tooperating system processes on a single computing platform. However, theoverlays provide appropriate context to the services being provided forin the distributed nodes in a flat-graph network.

Thus, although specific embodiments have been illustrated and describedherein, it should be appreciated that any arrangement calculated toachieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodimentsshown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all adaptations orvariations of various embodiments of the invention. Combinations of theabove embodiments and other embodiments not specifically describedherein will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing theabove description.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R.§1.72(b), requiring an abstract that will allow the reader to quicklyascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted withthe understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit thescope or meaning of the claims. Additionally, in the foregoing DetailedDescription, it can be seen that various features are grouped togetherin a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure.This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting anintention that the claimed embodiments of the invention require morefeatures than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as thefollowing claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than allfeatures of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims arehereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claimstanding on its own as a separate preferred embodiment. In the appendedclaims, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as theplain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and“wherein,” respectively. Moreover, the terms “first,” “second,” and“third,” etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to imposenumerical requirements on their objects.

1-33. (canceled)
 34. A communications device, comprising: a virtual nodeoperable to couple to one or more software overlays providing servicefunctions on a flat network, wherein the virtual node is configured toreceive network service signals of a first communications type, thenetwork service signals comprising at least one network service signaladdressed to a second device, and is to forward the at least one networkservice signal of the first type to the second device as a networkservice signal of a second communications type without the structure ofa network interposed between the device and the second device.
 35. Thedevice of claim 34, wherein the network service signal includes at leastone of the following: communications signals; computing signals; andstorage signals.
 36. The device of claim 35, wherein the at least onenetwork service signal is overlayed onto a heterogeneous flat network ofwireless communications devices.
 37. The device of claim 34, wherein thefirst communications type and the second communications type aresubstantially similar.
 38. The device of claim 34, wherein the firstcommunications type and the second communications type are different.39. The device of claim 34, wherein the first communications type andthe second communications type are any suitable wireless communicationsprotocol.
 40. The device of claim 34, wherein the device is connected toa peer-to-peer communications network.
 41. The device of claim 40,wherein the communications network includes a homogeneous flat network.42. The device of claim 40, wherein the communications network includesa heterogeneous flat network.
 43. A communications device, comprising: ahost device and a virtual node; and the virtual node operable to coupleto one or more software overlays providing service functions on a flatnetwork, wherein the virtual node is configured to provide a servicefunction to the host device or a second device communicatively coupledto the device over the network, the service function to include each oneof the following: computing node services, network node services, andstorage node services.
 44. The device of claim 43, wherein the servicefunctions are overlayed onto a heterogeneous flat network of wirelesscommunications devices.
 45. The device of claim 43, wherein the deviceis connected to a peer-to-peer communications network.
 46. The device ofclaim 45, wherein the communications network includes a homogeneous flatnetwork.
 47. The device of claim 45, wherein the flat-graphcommunications network includes a heterogeneous network.
 48. The deviceof claim 43, wherein the service function includes receiving a networksignal and providing at least one or more of the following: computingnode service functions, network node service functions, and storage nodeservice functions.
 49. A system comprising: a host device and a virtualnode; the virtual node operable to couple to one or more softwareoverlays providing service functions on a flat network, wherein thevirtual node is configured to provide a service function to the hostdevice or a second device communicatively coupled to the device over thenetwork, the service function to include each one of the following:computing node services, network node services, and storage nodeservices; and at least one antenna communicatively coupled to thevirtual node.
 50. The system of claim 49, wherein service functionsinclude at least one or more of the following peer-to-peer services:computing services; communications services; and storage services. 51.The system of claim 50, wherein communications services includefunctions for the purposes of receiving, manipulating, and transmittingnetwork signals.
 52. An apparatus comprising: a first wirelesscommunications device, wherein the first communications devicecomprises: a virtual node operable to couple to one or more overlaysproviding service functions on a flat network, wherein the virtual nodeis configured to provide a service function, the service function toinclude each of the following: computing node services, network nodeservices, and storage node services; and a second communications deviceconfigured to perform the following operations: receiving a servicerequest from a communications layer higher than a current layer;encapsulating the received service request in a communications signalconstructed to be communicated using the current layer; and transmittingthe encapsulated communications signal to a flat network ofcommunications devices.
 53. The apparatus of claim 52, furthercomprising: further communications devices, wherein at least one of thefurther communications devices is configured to perform the followingoperations: provisioning a request for services of a communicationslayer at or above a current layer; encapsulating and deploying therequest in a communications signal constructed to be communicated usingthe current layer; and transmitting the communications signal to a flatnetwork of communications devices.
 54. The apparatus of claim 53,wherein the first, second, and further communications devices areinterconnected by a peer-to-peer network.
 55. A method comprising:provisioning a request for services of a communications layer at orabove a current layer, wherein the current layer is at or above anetwork layer; encapsulating and deploying the request in acommunications signal constructed to be communicated using the currentlayer; and transmitting the communications signal to a flat network ofcommunications devices, wherein at least one of the communicationsdevices includes a virtual node device coupled to one or more overlaysproviding peer-to-peer service functions on the flat network, andwherein the communications devices in the flat network are configured toexchange services, the services to include at least one or more of thefollowing: computing services, communications services and storageservices.
 56. A method comprising: receiving a service request from acommunications layer higher than a current layer; encapsulating thereceived service request in a communications signal constructed to becommunicated using the current layer; and transmitting the encapsulatedcommunications signal to a flat network of communications devices,wherein at least one of the communications devices includes a virtualnode device coupled to one or more software overlays providingpeer-to-peer service functions on the flat network and without thestructure of a hardware network interposed between the at least onecommunication device and the flat network.
 57. The method of claim 56,wherein the current layer is at or above the network layer.
 58. Themethod of claim 56, wherein the flat network of communications devicesincludes at least one communications device, the at least onecommunications device further comprising: a host device; and a virtualnode device coupled to the host device, wherein the virtual node deviceis configured to provide a service function to the host device or asecond device communicatively coupled to the apparatus over a network,the service function to include at least one or more of the following:computing node services, network node services, and storage nodeservices.
 59. A machine-readable medium having machine-executableinstructions contained therein which when executed perform the followingoperations: receiving a service request from a communications layerhigher than a current layer; encapsulating the received service requestin a communications signal constructed to be communicated using thecurrent layer; and transmitting the encapsulated communications signalto a flat network of communications devices, wherein at least one of thecommunications devices includes a virtual node device coupled to one ormore software overlays providing peer-to-peer service functions on theflat network and without the structure of a hardware network interposedbetween the at least one communication device and the flat-graphnetwork.
 60. The machine-readable medium of claim 59, wherein thecurrent layer is at or above a network layer.
 61. The machine-readablemedium of claim 59, wherein the flat network of communications devicesincludes at least one communications device, the at least onecommunications device further comprising: a host device; and a virtualnode device coupled to the host device, wherein the virtual node deviceis configured to provide a service function to the host device or asecond device communicatively coupled to the virtual node device over anetwork, the service function to include at least one or more of thefollowing: computing node services, network node services, and storagenode services.
 62. A machine-readable medium having machine-executableinstructions contained therein, which when executed perform thefollowing operations: provisioning a request for services of acommunications layer at or above a current layer, wherein the currentlayer is at or above a network layer; encapsulating and deploying therequest in a communications signal constructed to be communicated usingthe current layer; and transmitting the communications signal to a flatnetwork of communications devices, wherein at least one of thecommunications devices includes a virtual node device coupled to one ormore overlays providing peer-to-peer service functions on the flatnetwork, and wherein the communications devices in the flat network areconfigured to exchange services, the services to include at least one ormore of the following: computing services, communications services, andstorage services.
 63. The machine-readable medium of claim 62, whereinthe current layer is at or above the network layer.
 64. Themachine-readable medium of claim 62, wherein the flat network ofcommunications devices includes at least one communications device, theat least one communications device further comprising: a host device;and a virtual node device coupled to the host device, wherein thevirtual node device is configured to provide a service function to thehost device or a second device communicatively coupled to the apparatusover a network, the service function to include at least one or more ofthe following: computing node services, network node services, andstorage node services.